Gerald Dallas Cobb

Gerald Dallas Cobb, age 96, died peacefully after a gradual decline in health on December 17, 2025 in Shenandoah, TX. He was born the fourth of five brothers on January 18, 1929 in James, Texas to Dallas David and Vivian Ethel Cobb.

He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Baylor University and his Doctorate of Education degree from the University of Houston where he was a member of each university’s Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. During his time at Baylor University, he played basketball for the Baylor Bear teams that won three Southwest Conference Championships and twice reached the NCAA Tournament Final Four. After graduating from Baylor, he married Baylor graduate Bobbie Jeannine Barton, and they were happily married for 62+ years until her death in 2014.

After graduation, Cobb accepted a position as basketball coach and history teacher at Mineral Wells, Texas. In 1954, he began a 33-year career with the Galena Park Independent School District when he accepted the position of head basketball coach for the GP Yellow Jackets. He held positions as Business Manager, Assistant Superintendent, and lastly Superintendent for 17 years until he retired in 1987.

In 1980, Cobb was one of five Founding Directors of Woodforest National Bank which has grown from a local community bank to one that has over 700 branches in 17 states. He began his banking career as Vice-Chairman of the Board and has held the CEO, Chairman of the Board, and Chairman Emeritus positions prior to retiring in 2018.

During his distinguished career, Cobb was named Texas Educator of the Month, Galena Park Man of the Year, inducted into the Baylor “B” Association Wall of Honor, and has had the Galena Park ISD’s 6th grade campus named in his honor. He has served as Chairman of the: NCAA High School Basketball Committee, Harris County Administrators, Textbook Selection Committee of Texas, Legislative Committee (TASA), Region IV Educational Service Center, Woodforest National Bank, Energy for Schools, Wendel D. Ley YMCA, Galena Park Education Foundation, and San Jacinto College Foundation. He has served as a Board Director for the Community Hospital Foundation and East Houston Regional Hospital, and he has served as President of the Galena Park Rotary Club and North Channel Chamber of Commerce. He has been a member of the Galena Park First Baptist Church since 1954 where he taught the men’s adult Sunday School class for over 40 years. He was also a member of the North Shore Masonic Lodge. Cobb’s passions were education, service to others, public speaking, banking, fishing, golfing, and travelling.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Dallas and Vivian Cobb, his wife Bobbie Barton Cobb, his granddaughter, Kaia Christine Cobb, and four brothers Lester, Leslie, James, and Earl “Corkey” Cobb. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Dr. Gerald B. and Parto Cobb, Catherine and Leslie LeBleu; his grandchildren, Dallas Cobb, Dr. Celia Cobb, David and Rocio LeBleu, Dr. Cody and Ebonie Cobb, and great-grandchildren Malcolm and Roscoe Burns and Benjamin LeBleu; his in-laws, Dr. Maxine Hart, Ann Jones, and Mary Cobb. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Our gratitude and thanks to Les LeBleu for tirelessly taking care of Gerald’s needs for years. And a thank you to his caregivers who provided outstanding care for his daily needs during the last years of his life. He appreciated being spoiled by you and enjoyed having someone there to relive his life’s stories, listen to his “out of tune” singing, and laugh at his jokes and sayings.

Funeral services and visitation will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home on Friday, December 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm to celebrate his life. Family members will receive friends, Friday, December 26, 2025 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions may be made to Baylor University, the Galena Park Education Foundation or the San Jacinto College Foundation.